Editor’s note: Know Before You Go is an occasional series exploring metro Denver area, and state, attractions.

A scenic 2.5 hour drive west of Denver, in the historic city of Glenwood Springs, sits perhaps one of the more unique and visually stunning amusement parks in the country.

Dubbed as “America’s Only Mountain Top Theme Park” at 7,100 feet, Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park features more than a dozen attractions that can entertain park goers for an entire day. It is a top destination for cave explorers and thrill seekers.

This year, the mountain-top theme park is celebrating its 25th anniversary.

From the historic cave tours, two cliffside extreme swing rides, roller coasters and kid-friendly attractions — let's take a look at what to expect, and how to plan for this one-of-a-kind theme park.

Getting there

Glenwood Caverns, and the town’s famous hot springs, is located conveniently off Interstate 70. Other travel options include Amtrak’s California Zephyr train or a coach bus into and out of west Glenwood Springs.

Many of the notable hotels, such as Hotel Colorado — where a number of U.S. presidents have stayed — sits near Glenwood Caverns on the northside of town. Downtown Glenwood Springs can be accessed off of Grand Avenue to the south.

From Denver, it is a 2.5 hour drive west filled with mountain backdrops, national forests and ski towns. Passing the city of Gypsum, the interstate meets with the Colorado River, and follows it along 15 miles into Glenwood Springs through a canyon passageway, providing one of the most scenic drives in all of Colorado.

Entering town, Glenwood Caverns attractions can be seen atop a mountain.

Glenwood Caverns is located off of exit 116, a left on 6th Street and at the corner Devereux Road. Free parking is available a block away at Two Rivers park, while $10 preferred parking is available out in front.

Getting up there

Nearby settler’s, who visited the newly discovered caves back in 1896, rode donkey’s to get to the top of Iron Mountain, according to park historians.

Today, that won’t be necessary.

Instead, for an online price of $30, visitors ride a cable lift gondola up over 1,200 feet up to the top. It is the only way of getting up and down the mountain.

In total, online prices are $55 for the gondola and cave tours, and a total of $79 for the “funday” all rides and cave tours. Glenwood Caverns also offers annual passes.

During the month of June, the Gondola ride is free. 

Know before you go to Glenwood Caverns

Every attraction is weather permitting. Rain, lightning or wind could be a factor of whether the gondolas, the only way out, will operate.

Expect to spend at least six hours at Glenwood Caverns from a "funday" pass. 

Plan the day around the two available 40-minute cave tours, which are typically scheduled every 20 minutes. Cave tour times are subject to change, and are posted at the ticket office and information booths.

The historic Fairy Caves, which were discovered in the 1890s, became one of the world’s first cave’s to be showcased with light bulbs. The King’s Row cave features a photogenic room of rock formations millions of years old.

Inside the caves, since the rocks absorb the average temperature outside, it remains at a constant 52 degrees year-round.

For more information on the cave tours, visit glenwoodcaverns.com.

The rest of the day can be spent riding the different attractions, which include: a scenic alpine coaster, a giant canyon swing over the mountain, a 110-foot, 102-degree-drop looping roller coaster, the nation's highest elevated roller coaster, an indoor drop tower, a seated zipline and a carnival swing hanging over the mountain’s edge.

For younger thrill seekers and families, there is a family roller coaster, a small Ferris Wheel overlooking the mountains, a mini drop ride, laser tag and a 4D motion theater.

For the food, Glenwood Caverns features a BBQ house and an indoor restaurant with mountain-top views of Glenwood Springs.

Handicapped Accessibility? 

In some areas, yes. The mountain and elevation may make it challenging, though. According to the website:

"The Glenwood Gondola and Adventure Park, including the Adventure Park Gift Shop and the Lookout Grille, are wheelchair-accessible. There is gravel in the plaza and on some pathways which can make it difficult to navigate a wheelchair. Other pathways are also quite steep, which can pose additional challenges to guests using wheelchairs. Because of the stairs and walkways that allow for safe foot travel through the cave’s natural terrain, we’re unable to allow wheelchairs or strollers into the caverns.

"We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, but are bound by Mother Nature’s creation and the safety of our valued guests."

New for 2024

For its 25th anniversary, Glenwood Caverns plans to add onto its cave tours and concerts.

For the extreme cave explorers, Glenwood Caverns is offering the “Wild Tour,” a 2-hour geared exploration deeper into the smaller crevices of the caves. Those interested must register ahead of time.

In addition, Glenwood Caverns offers a $20 black light cave tour, which utilizes black lights to journey around the dark caves.

For eight weeks during the summer, Glenwood Caverns hosts live music performances atop the mountain, which the event includes offerings, giveaways and raffles.

For more information about the park, visit glenwoodcaverns.com.